Summer is upon us and while the temperatures soar it's easy to drift into the repetitive cut off denim and t-shirt offender land. Sometimes I get so lazy when the days get steaming that I literally wear the same thing every day until I notice my own daughter raising eyebrows in disbelief. But there are clothes out there that are summerliscious and gorgeous, that promise elegance and ease and the sort of put together cool that makes one feel like they're a cool cucumber in the crippling heat. Then, there are totes; tote bags; easy and simple, with space for everything, practicality of a hoarder and simple beauty of an ingenue. Totes are the bag version of a secret maximalist, the happy go lucky bag that will hide all your random treasures while putting on a paired back front. This bag is a mainstay, and if you don't have one yet, well,frankly, you are missing out ; they are an absolute must have. Going to the markets? Tote is there for you. Going to the beach? The tote will hold your towel, sunnies, sunscreen and magazines. It will be there when you do an unexpected supermarket shop or when you need your laptop for a meeting. Everything is easy with a tote in tow.
In my second season in collaboration with the revamped ( and currently very cool ) Coach brand, I wanted to sing praise for this unsung hero of the accessory world while styling it back with some of my lust have clothes of the season...because; summer !
Above (Do the midriff with some interesting detailing and go day to night : Christopher Esber top, Ellery skirt, Coach tote, Giuseppe Zanotti pumps, Amber Sceats bracelets )

Beach coverup to barefoot soiree : this jumpsuit does it all ( Tome jumpsuit, Coach tote, Jordan Askill x Georg Jensen necklace )

A simple silk slip and tote are perfect for day coupled with interesting accessories ( Interval slip, Emeli earrings, Coach tote, Proenza Schouler mules )

Take your new bestie to the seaside and make it carry everything while you rock a retro inspired bikini ( Matteau bikini, Coach bag, Seed espadrilles, Dita sunglasses )
photographed by Alice Wesley-Smith

While in Paris recently, I had a couple of nights off so I decided to shake off the cobwebs and hit the dance floor. Being away on the other side of the world yet with my best friend Lindy by my side certainly gave me the incentive to check out a couple of iconic Parisian night spots and dance a few hours away. Silencio and Regine are both awesome for some high heel cardio , a cocktail or two and watching the kids get dizzy. The only question was - what to wear? After some deliberation , I chose this amazing dress because it ticked so many spring trends.

For my third post for L’Oreal Paris, I thought I’d talk not just about what is so exciting about evening wear at the moment but what I personally love about being a bronde. To me, being a bronde is everything I love about summer- looking sun kissed due to it’s shimmery highlights but also healthy because the highlights aren’t too bright or drying to the hair. It’s about being easy going and not having to schedule upkeep too often, truly allowing me to relax knowing that even if my hair grows out a little , it will still look fabulous. I also love how the L’oreal Glam Highlights collection comes in many shades as I always go a little darker in winter, then brighten up with highlights again in the summer to match the weather.

Backless - personally, this is one of my favorite current trends in evening wear. I think the back is such an under utilized and forgotten part of the body and also one of the most sensuous and beautiful . Look for a covered front or long sleeves for a sexy yet demure take on this trend

Cuffs - cuffs are big at the moment and come attached to unexpected silhouettes in a wide variety of fabrics, sizes and textures. Adding a little bit of shirting appeal to otherwise unsuitable looks somehow just works so cuff it good!

Shine baby shine! - Glitter, sequin or lame, this season is all about making like Ziggy Stardust . Hit the dance floor in something that will truly give the mirrorball a run for it’s money. Bonus point : there is no way that boy won’t notice you!

Wearing: Aje dress, Dior earrings, Sarah and Sebastian ring, Jordan Askill ring, Proenza Schouler mules
photographed by Alice-Wesley-Smith

Voyaging to Ibiza had always been my dream - that island where Spanish summers are hot, cocktails are cold, beaches are beautiful and parties unforgettable. Before I left, my friends retold their stories and added how there are many Ibizas to discover - each time they went they found a new place awaited them. This was somewhat perplexing to me : Is it because new restaurants have opened or they are staying in new accommodation or is it because the weather is different each time? It seemed like a puzzle to piece together and not one of them offered to elaborate on this confusing statement.

So, as they sometimes do, stars came together and offered a quick trip to this balearic paradise a couple of months ago. Renting a beautiful house with dear friends on top of a hill with a sparkling pool and sunset vistas. Heaven. And we did have fun! Languid lunches and long nights, swims and cocktails and even a sail to Formentrera...but everyone said; it will be a different Ibiza next time.
Then, one afternoon, I had a look at the art hanging in our rented villa and found a big cork board with amazing pictures. There was Vera, the woman who rented the house to us , in all her Ibiza editions. In a pink vinyl jacket and a perm hugging Charles Bronson, in an iridescent swimsuit with Naomi Campbell in the early 90s, looking rock n'roll in black leather with Gary Coleman of Different Strokes, innocent in white with Johnny Hallyday and bohemian with some French band . That's when I realized; this is why each time people visit Ibiza it changes. The experience of this island depends so much on the people you are with, the things that you are attracted to at that particular moment in life and what kind of style you want to emulate. Ibiza itself is merely a gateway to experiences so it's up to you which part you magnetize yourself to and attract into your sphere. Glamour and attitude never go astray in this corner of the Med and fashion is as much an expression of your aesthetic as an advertisement of what sort of lifestyle you aspire to.
Mainly though, I realized : Vera, in all her experimenting incarnations , might be my spirit animal .

Dress by Shona Joy
Necklace and bracelet by Swarovski
Sandals by Proenza Schouler

My teen years were so heavily influenced by grunge for a while that I felt Dr Martins were synonyms for footwear, ripped fishnet stockings were normal and tartan shirts , well , I kinda lived in them - day or night. This season Saint Laurent made a return to grunge, but the fabrics Heidi Slimane used are much more luxurious and tactile than polyester or nylon , even though they look similar. While I am all for celebrating grunge, I feel too old for ripped stockings and bad materials, so I am embracing the new luxe grunge. It truly can be a tough, cool but utterly sexy and polished look if done right.

This picture is featuring an evening wear version of the trend that is all crock print glamour, spike metal heels, dark lipstick and gleaming silver jewellery

( dress Toni Maticevski, heels Casadei, clutch Proenza Schouler from Land's End, jewellery by Tiffany & Co , lipstick by Nars )

Take a spin on the old rock n' roll classic with classic army tones mixed with motorcycle inspired Camilla & Marc leggings and a  sheer tartan Zambesi shirt. ( vintage Versace jacket, Balmain boots, Agent Provocateur leather bra and Pushmataha for Manning Cartell jewellery..

Check out 3 more looks and all the details in my new vogue.com.au post here

Photographed by Ana Suntay -Toledo